Your Baby at 10 Weeks: Development and Care

Taking care of a newborn baby can drain so much of your time and energy because they are very dependent on you. In the first few weeks of their life, things may not seem to be getting easier, especially because by then you may have already lost a lot of sleep and the routine seems to be repetitive and tedious. However, everything that you do is important to you and your baby, and you will appreciate how much you have contributed to your baby's growth and development.

How Is Your 10 Week Old Baby Developing?

1. Body Growth

Ten weeks after birth, you will notice that your baby has grown in length and in weight. In the first 3 months, she may have gained 150 to 300 grams per week. By the 12th week, an average neonate weight is about 5.5 to 6 kilograms.

2. Physical Development

Vision keeps improving. A newborn baby has limited vision, but a 10 week old baby can follow objects from one side to the other (180 degrees). With improving visual skills, your baby can see an object held in front of her, and with intense concentration, follow it while it is moved.

New development in eye-hand coordination. After discovering her hands in the early weeks after birth, your baby can now put them together and try reaching for objects. It is at this stage that she starts developing eye-hand coordination, and her attempts to reach for objects are still trial-and-error.

Gain better control over their bodies. A baby's hip and knee joints continue to get stronger as she flexes her legs and pushes her feet against the bed. Hold her under the arms on your lap and she will push her feet against your thighs. Be sure to support her head with your fingers at the back of her neck. As your ten week old baby is doing a lot more kicking, she can bear some of her weight on her legs. She may be able to roll or turn sideways from her back, but she won't be able to make a complete roll until after a couple of months.

Absorb more, waste less. A baby's digestive system matures with the passing weeks and you will notice that she poops less as she is able to absorb more nutrients. With breastfed babies, mothers do not need to worry if their babies do not have a bowel movement for a few days. On the other hand, babies who feed on formula may poop daily.

3. Social Development

Smile back at you. At 10 weeks, your baby may be able to smile, coo and blow bubbles as she interacts with you. She may begin imitating facial expressions to try communicating with you.

Try to “chat”. Babies of this age vocalize, coo and blow raspberries while trying to chat with you. They become more alert and make noises in the form of syllables like “ah”.

How to Take Care of a 10 Week Old Baby

1. Feed Your Baby Properly

Feeding your baby is the most important part of caring for her, but it is usually time consuming and sometimes tiring. Whether you are breastfeeding or using formula to meet her nutritional needs, it is best to learn proper skills in doing this task, especially when there are issues such as fussiness.

2. Sleep Pattern and How to Cope with It

Your baby usually develops its own sleep patterns, but you will notice that each day is not the same as another day. These sleep patterns may also change as your child grows, and you will have to adjust your own schedules to theirs.

3. Understand Their Crying

At this time, you will notice that your baby has different cries to communicate her various emotions. She may bawl demandingly when she is hungry, but she make a different sound when she just wants to be cuddled or put to sleep. Parents often learn to listen to the different cries their babies make and become more sensitive to their babies' needs. Since your baby cannot change her behavior at this age because of her immature brain, you will just have to use some deduction in interpreting her way of communication.

4. Note Your Baby’s Needs

A 10 week old baby's needs will change as she becomes older. When she was a newborn, your main focus was on feeding her and changing diapers. Now, at 10 months, you will also have to be more sensitive to her sleeping habits, playing schedule and the times when she feels tired. To help you achieve this, take a note of her schedule and routines, so you can adjust and meet her needs.

5. Keep Talking to Your Baby

Keep talking to your 10-month old baby to encourage development of her language skills. In time, she will be communicating with you as you respond to her efforts.

6. Play with Your Baby

Playing with your baby can be fun and rewarding. You can use simple toys that are safe to use such as finger puppets, a rattle or a ball. Common items in the home can also be used to provide entertainment. While bathing, allow your baby to splash her hands and feet in lukewarm water, then dry her off with a soft towel.

7. Take Your Baby for a Walk

Take your baby for a walk to expose her to sunlight early in the morning. It will be fun introducing her to new sounds and sights in the environment while helping her set her internal clock.

8. Find a Good Childcare If You Need

Find good childcare arrangements for your baby could allow you to do other activities such as shopping or just relaxing on your own time. Ask for referrals from other parents to find a good daycare center. Visit their facilities and observe the staff to see how they interact with babies. If you just want to get a nanny or babysitter to look after your baby for a short time, it is best to get references from people you trust.